1965 Ford F-100 Project Truck

Recently Ryan Manson and I were on the phone comparing notes about the Chevy C10s that we are building. The conversation turned to some of the other cool project trucks that we have seen, some of which have been in the magazine and some that have not. Ryan soon turned the conversation toward the fourth-generation Fords (1961-1966). The first thing that came to my mind once he mentioned it was a Ford Mustang 5.0 motor planted between the framerails.

I had been thinking of a new project vehicle and had somehow overlooked this great-looking year model of Fords. I fired up the computer and began searching the Internet for vehicles in my area and checked the prices. Most were reasonably priced. I also grabbed the latest issue of CUSTOM CLASSIC TRUCKS and started viewing the websites of all the folks that supplied Ford replacement parts. I noticed that, compared to some of the other Ford generations, there were a limited number of replacement parts available. This made starting this project a sure thing as it meant that I would be scouring some of the swap meets for some hard-to-find parts. Count me in!

Within hours, I was on the phone networking to see what was out there. I also had managed to request catalogs from just about all the folks supplying parts. I set my budget for the truck at $1,500, which seemed realistic, as all I needed was a cab and a short-wheelbase frame. Over the course of the next few days, I received several phone calls and emails from people that had heard I was looking for a truck.

Due my budget, there were a lot of really nice trucks that I had to pass on. I will say if you’re wanting to get a truck for a little closer to $5,000 there are some really nice-running vehicles out there. We received a call from our super sleuth Danny Day, of Strange Daze Rods and Customs in Forney, Texas. Danny had gotten wind of a truck that he said had been sitting in a field for quite some time, but felt that the owner would probably let it go for close to what we wanted to spend.

We set up a time to run out and meet the owner, and by the time we had pulled into the field, we knew this was the one. The owner was willing to part with the truck for our budgeted amount and we could not get the truck out of the field fast enough.

Over the next few weeks our catalogs began arriving and we were stoked about the possibilities. Now the fun starts and over the next few issues we are going to get this truck back on the road and give it a resto-mod makeover. Stay tuned.

2/151. Our 1965 Ford F-100 Styleside has been sitting in this field for many years, but seems to have held up quite well. The last time it was registered was 1987.

3/152. Opening the driver’s door we were impressed at the overall condition of the 48-year-old interior.

4/153. The passenger side showed no rust on the floor pan.

5/154. The dent-free dash was a great sign, though it had become a storage shelf to various extra parts over the years, but a little all-purpose cleaner will cut through the grime.

6/155. The odometer shows 80,690. We are not sure if this is the first or second time around.

7/156. The seat had been recovered in some type of heavy fabric, and had housed a critter or two. The frame and tracks were in great shape and that’s all that mattered.

8/157. The factory-perforated headliner, aside from sagging somewhat, was still in good shape.

9/158. Both inside door panels were dent free, but the trim, armrests, and handles will all need to be replaced.

10/159. Under the hood was the factory 352 V-8, 208hp motor.

11/1510. Our grille and front bumper will need a little sprucing up to get them back up to speed, but thankfully it didn’t look like the truck had ever been hit.

12/1511. The inside of the tailgate had been dented and instead of repairing or replacing it, a thick layer of bondo had been applied and painted over. It’s bad enough that a new tailgate will be necessary.

13/1512. The bed floor, wheel housings, and inner bed panels, aside from surface rust, had no major dents in the metal.

14/1513. The driver side cab corner was still intact, but our passenger side had taken a hit and will need to be replaced.

15/1514. Overall the outside bed panels will require only a small amount of metalwork to get them back straight.